Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts

12.01.2011

November Thankfulness

I'd like to start by being thankful for my scarf.  And my hat.  And hair.  
It was really cold and my breath was condensing on my eyelashes and freezing them shut!
My hair is often frozen on walks.  
Also thankful for my coat, snow pants, snow boots, gloves, and wool!

 Thankful for a church body who has embraced us and invited us to spend Thanksgiving with them.
Thankful for Pat who can play "Race-horse" with little ones!


 Thankful for Pat's art skills!  He uses it to help us and others!

 Thankful for a dog with active reading skills.  

 Thankful for the fact that this bear is not a real representative of our experiences.
Thankful to have seen this baby moose exploring without getting closer!






Thankful for so many experiences that we have had!

7.04.2011

Excessive June Photos!

O.K., here goes:  June in one post! I have a lofty goal!  
 June included a visit from Mom.  One of our "must-do's" is to go to Homer.  On the way down, we just had to stop and check out this Bald Eagle in it's nest.  Pretty cool.  On our way home, we stopped in Ninilchik (nin-IL'-chick) to visit the old Russian Orthodox Church.  I was sad it was closed, but the surrounding cemetery was fascinating.

We took Mom out one evening to go camping.  We drove to a campground, but then began to walk down a trail to another spot.  We walked about a half mile, much to Mom's confusion, and came upon this cabin.  Then we surprised her and told her THIS was our spot!!  Pat went back, loaded up the boat that was at the camp, and loaded all our gear to bring back.  Mom and Pat went out fishing that evening!  I don't think they had any bites, but it was a lovely evening for cast-practice!




 Then we had s'mores!  Yummy!
It was a little breezy outside so used the "inside fire" to roast the marshmallows!

 We did take a nice hike along the lakeside trail.  Rowdy loved it, and it was a lovely hike!

 Mom and I also went out to the beach.  It was a pretty blustery day, and high tide, so we didn't spend all day there but just enough to get some fresh salt air, pick up a few pretty rocks, and get our feet wet!!

(only one of us was wearing water-proof foot-wear!)

 While Mom and I were having fun, Pat was working hard.  The fence section above is the "security fence" that he had to install.  That panel is the entirety of the fence in that area.  Pretty secure, huh?!
 The 2nd weekend of June was the Kenai River Festival in Soldotna.  Teakell Design had a booth and we had an enjoyable time at the festival.  We also did pretty well in sales and orders.  It was well worth our time and investment.


 The River Festival was literally right beside the Kenai River (naturally), so Mom took a quick pic of the world famous waters!
 Just the other day, this robin adolescent perched itself on my deck and seemed to be demanding something from me.  Unfortunately, I do not speak chirp and was unable to assist it at this time.


On June 21st, the Summer Solstice, Pat helped a buddy out by playing drums in his band.  The Free Beer Band played last, and though that's not an ideal time slot (around midnight here), we were able to sit through the bands before us! (insert mass amounts of sarcasm here)  The Funny River Backwoods Group was the band just before Pat's and the name is very applicable.  Sadly, they sounded like a 5th grade band that just learned to play their fiddle, mandolin, guitar and washboard.  Oh, and they were all flying pretty high!  Anywho...Pat's group did pretty well and the few people who were still left enjoyed some nice parting music!
 Joy is fresh cherry tomatoes!
Did we mention, our house is still for sale?  All the fabulous activities could be yours!

7.03.2010

Randomness in Pictures

A couple weeks ago, Pat and I took a little overnighter to Homer.  We wanted to take a little time away and we always have such good talks when we drive!  It was a nice trip and we were able to visit a garage sale and pick up some pex tubing for our future house project!  It was evidently a great place to curl up for a nap!

Last weekend, Pat and I worked in the shop together.  He, being a gifted teacher, has been working with me on my welding.  I worked myself up to TIG welding, and I have to say I like it.  It is very clean, quiet and pretty. My only gaff was that I got the fire a bit too close to my pinky and shrunk my glove with a burn!  Oops!  I have a way to go to master it, but I'm getting the feel.

We decided we needed a couple more plant hangers for the front of the house.  We drew them out, torched them out, ground them down and had them up in no time!  It was a great project for me to practice some of the steps.  I've done some torch work on more of the Alaska to Africa crosses, and now I can grind a bit.  With my welding, I'm about set to do my own projects!  I must admit, it's kinda fun.  Plus, it's a fun way to spend time together.


Viola!

Pat's working on another project that we'll be presenting in a couple more days...this was a fun one!

These yolks were from a client who brought them from Africa.  They were teak oxen yolks that we made into plant hangers.  I'll have better pictures soon, but they are too cool not to share!  These provided the income to purchase a much needed air compressor (and more)!

I've not had a moose shot in a while!  These guys have been seen in the neighborhood quite a bit.  Cute little bugger!  I'm just not sure who it was who ate my snap peas and Ashleaf Spirea, but if it was this little cutie, I guess I can't be too mad.

1.16.2010

Artist at Work


We've been fortunate during this time of less formal employment to have picked up some projects that have provided well for us! Pat had a project of a handrail to build for some friends of ours. This particular handrail was for a spiral staircase, but needed to go on the inside curve along the wood post on which the stairs stood. After much thought and figuring, he came up with a beautiful design and asked me to help! Oh dear.
Yep, that's me! I thought I really looked like I knew what I was doing here. Actually, I had a very good teacher who set me up to not fail! He's good like that.
I thought he was pretty genius in the design and execution. I'm not biased or anything.
He took it in and installed it soon after it was completed. It turned out gorgeous and fits the home's rustic but craftsman feel!